Psalms 88:3 Meaning and Explanation
“For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist's soul is overwhelmed with troubles and life approaches death.
The Context of Psalms 88:3
The grounds for urgent prayer: overwhelming internal trouble and proximity to death.
What Does Psalms 88:3 Mean?
The fullness of troubles fills the entire being ('soul'), indicating that distress is not partial or external but has saturated the inner person completely. The phrase 'draweth nigh unto the grave' suggests that physical condition has deteriorated to near-death status—this is literal suffering, possibly illness or injury.
This verse explains why the crying is so continuous: the circumstances are grave and pressing. The connection of soul-trouble and approaching death shows the psalmist views the crisis as total—spiritual desolation and physical peril combined.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 88:3
What does Psalms 88:3 mean?
The psalmist's soul is overwhelmed with troubles and life approaches death.
What is the context of Psalms 88:3?
The grounds for urgent prayer: overwhelming internal trouble and proximity to death.